Walking as a transport mode is still often underrepresented in the overall
transport system. Consequently, pedestrian mobility is usually not recorded
statistically in the same manner as it is performed for motorised traffic which
leads to an underestimation of its importance and positive effects on people
and cities. However, the integration of walkability assessments is potentially
a valuable complement in urban planning processes through considering important
quantitative and qualitative aspects of walking in cities. Recent literature
shows a variety of approaches involving discrepancies in the definition of
walkability, the factors which contribute to it, and methods of assessing them.
This paper provides a new understanding of the concept of walkability in the
European context. Our approach relies on the extension of methodological
competence in transportation, spatial planning and geography by linking new
measurement methods for evaluating walkability. We propose an integrated
approach to assessing walkability in a comprehensive methodology that combines
existing qualitative and GIS-based methods with biosensor technologies
and thus captures the perceptions and emotions of pedestrians. This results
in an increased plausibility and relevance of the results of walkability analysis
by considering the spatial environment and its effect on people.